Boxing Day to the Ace Café
26 December 2004
What is it about some people that despite riding on Xmas Day they still turn out the day after for more riding? 11:00 on the Green Bridge and there are 8 madmen, later to be joined by 2 women, almost all of whom had been riding the day before. Name checking there was ride leader; The Black Knight, Trevor and Gary; who had not ridden the day before, myself making up the Wheelers contingent, Steve on his recumbent; he had joined Steve Collins, Trevor and myself on the January 04 post-Xmas flab-buster and three other guys whose names I do not recollect, but I had met them all the day before.
After the obligatory faffing we set off. All went exceedingly smoothly including picking up the first of the girls, also a refugee from the Deserted Streets Ride at a point along the route, which I fail to remember. Soon we came to Camden and we were rewarded for being good by a coffee stop at Camden Lock.
After we detoured at Paddington basin to view the amazing redevelopment there. It seems almost as impressive as Docklands. Shortly after we picked up our final rider, another woman whose name I fail to remember but she was mounted on a Birdy and had been riding on Xmas Day. Once back on the canal we had a little race when some of the boys proceeded at indecently high speed along the good surface that we met.
Eventually after stopping to see one of the hidden sights of London, where the canal passes over 8 lanes of North Circular Road we arrived at The Ace Café. Loads of gleaming powered machinery and a car park marshal who pointed out where we could lock our bicycles.
Lunch was swift and surprising value for money although not overly imaginative. I suppose that is what bikers like!! Several of us whipped out cameras and took snaps of the biking memorabilia before we reluctantly had to prepare to return.
Before returning we said our goodbyes and thanks to ride leader Keith who headed for Wembley Park to get the Metropolitan Line back. The rest of us, now, only 8-strong turned round and retraced our tyre tracks. All too soon and, fortunately, just before it got dark we arrived back at Gainsborough Studios, where I now live, and Gary and I enjoyed afternoon tea. A good day was had by all!
Ken
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